FB: New Jersey Athletic Conference

[JT2]

The big eye grabbers are definitely Rowan vs. Salve Regina, Salve being undefeated and just beating pre-season ranked #2 in the NJAC Montclair. Let's see if Rowan can respond after their loss to a good Springfield team.

My 2 cents. Salve is about a 5 hour drive from Glassboro, NJ. Thus the Profs will take a rare overnight trip for the weekend game. The Profs have already suffered a few key injuries, so it'll be interesting to see if anyone healed up during the bye week and makes a return. My understanding is that the Profs will take a smaller group of players for the road trip, but they benefited from the 2 homes and played a ton of guys especially in the Widener matchup.

The Profs will need 4 consistent quarters to win, but hopefully the Profs are able to notch a victory before heading into yet another bye week.

Salve has an amazing campus overlooking the Atlantic and near all those famous mansions. I think it used to be an all girls college at one time... but what a view. It's gotta have one of the best views on the East Coast. I was there quite a while ago for a September seafood festival [had to use a B&B's computer in order to get my D3football top 25 vote in... it was back in the day when I was more in tune with D3 football nationally]. They had these raw oysters called whale rocks, bigger then your tongue, but nice, tender and salty/sweet like a smaller oyster. $1 each... tried three. Bought and ate 21 more along with a lot of beer.

I still try to find shipped in whale rocks in NJ when I can get them. They come from the Mystic Connecticut area.

[JT2]

Salve's Youtube stream just crapped out. Listening on radio Rowan was up at half 35-16, now down 43-35 in the 4th qtr. Six straight scores by Salve. Rowan just went for it on 4th in their own territory inside the 25. TD Salve 50-35. In the first three games, Profs have shown that they are a poor 2nd half team.

Salve's a good team, above avg QB, decent RB and WR's.

Revising my prediction. Rowan 3-6 season.

[RowanPhan]

Historic collapse by the Profs.  Speechless at this point.  They clearly have the talent, 1st half was their best football in years.  Then a totally unprepared team came out in the 2nd... it's going to be a long 2 weeks

[MRMIKESMITH]

First Kudos to a good WNE team, they played their hearts out and was very fired up for this game. This was the ugliest 3+ score win I've witness from Salisbury. Nevertheless, here's my Good, Bad, and Ugly from Today's Salisbury vs. WNE game.

Good: Salisbury won the game and made some offensive adjustments in the 4th quarter to put away a feisty WNE team. Also, did a great job in controlling the game clock. Special teams did very well today, especially kickoff team and 1 of 2 punts, that landed on 1 yard line, which led to an early safety against WNE. Defensively, not allowing more than two scores considering the "UGLY", which I will detail below. Also, allowing less than 35 yards of rushing, which 17 came on a fake punt and holding late on a critical 4th down early in fourth quarter.

Bad: Turnovers, fumbles,  false starts, pocket presence, coverage. It's not uncommon for the Triple-Option to be successible to turnovers, however the turnovers were self inflicted (kudos to WNE Defense for creating chaos pre-snap). When passing, there is no excuse to throw into double coverage. Then offensive line false starting, creating long down and distances doesn't help a Triple-Option team, this is something that was repeated from previous game. Then on the PA plays and passing plays, the QB has to be able to feel out the pocket a little better, have to be poise and step up or step up and out and set feet on throws. Defensively, they have to figure out how to stop the deep outs/corners when in base coverage, this is the 3rd straight game that teams have been successful in those throws. Also, they have to be more sound in man-to-man, this was the 2nd straight game an inside move by WR led to td in Redzone. If you are going to get beat, get beat being discipline, let the WR/QB make a great play or throw, don't make it easy for them (play inside out). Of course this is cherry picking a few bad plays

UGLY: Penalties, Penalties, Penalties! Salisbury was 11-118. Many of those penalties led to WNE two scores and cost Salisbury twice on two punt returns, one that was a td. Although some were very Questionable, players and coaches have to understand how referees are calling the game. I'm not sure where the referees were from, but I wouldn't want them to ref another Salisbury game. The penalties allowed them to get position to get 14 points and took off probably 14 points for Salisbury.

Overall, Salisbury won the game 40-14, pulling away in the 4th quarter. Kudos to WNE, but Salisbury probably played one of it's worst games, not sure it was rust from the bye-week. I'm happy that they won, but it wasn't as pretty as the score details. Salisbury was very resilient on Defense, even with some questionable penalties and held strong after a huge momentum shift in the 2nd quart. Defense didn't allow a second half touchdown, that was huge. Salisbury starts conference play next week against a good Montclair State that got their first win team and although their record doesn't show, will play very well and is always a tough outing for Salisbury. Salisbury have to definitely clean up on penalties or they will allow teams to stay in games that could hurt them. Congrats on getting the W, but they know they can be better and they have to be better. The goal is to be 1-0 each week and to win conference.

[Zlax45]

Photos from NJIT's win over Nichols

https://www.foley-photography.com/Football/College-Football/2021-Season/TCNJ-at-Nichols/

[Pat Coleman]

You have it correct in your URL, but it's TCNJ. NJIT is a different school.

[Zlax45]

You have it correct in your URL, but it's TCNJ. NJIT is a different school.

Whoops....I know the difference. No clue what I was thinking. Just sharing with the TCNJ people!

[MRMIKESMITH]

At last we are finish with our non-conference schedule in NJAC land. The NJAC went 8/24 in non-conference play, that's good for 33% win percentage. Some notable surprises is Rowan and Montclair going 0-3 and 1-3, respectively. However, we do have some good wins, CNU beat W&L, that recently beat R-MC, Salisbury handled last year's and this year's pre-season favored in the CCC in that of WNE. Also, of note is that Montclair State's losses are to teams that are a combined 11-0, it might be safe to say that they are the best 3 loss team in Division III. Rowan losses are
to opponents that are 9-3 combined. Nevertheless, we now head into conference play, where every conference game matters and current records are thrown out the window.

Now, I think this is a big week for both Salisbury and Montclair State as the face off in a key NJAC matchup, both coming in as pre-season #1 & #2, respectively within the NJAC. Montclair finally got it going against a good WPI team last week. I think that helps with the morale in the locker room, especially after some heartbreakers early in the season. I think they are team to be reckoned with in conference play.

With that, I think Salisbury has to watch out and has to be really focused coming into this week, Montclair will be the 2nd best defense they will have faced this season. Montclair does not fear the option, they are well coached defensively and when their offense is clicking, can matchup with most of DIII teams. However, if Salisbury executes their game plan and stay discipline defensively I think they will be able to win this game.

My early thoughts is if Salisbury can protect the ball and stay ahead on downs and get some early touchdowns, I think that will take pressure off the defense and allow them to take more chances and be more aggressive in the play calling. Special teams is another area that may play a big part, if special teams can create good field position, it will definitely help with getting short field and adding more points on the scoreboard. Last week, I didn't see much of the passing formations against WNE, but as the season progresses will like to see those formations include both RUN & PASS, giving opposing defenses analytics more to think about when it comes to those formations.

This game will definitely be a tough fought game as Montclair always brings it. Salisbury has to be ready or everything, this is playoff mode from here on out. Execution and protecting the ball will be key offensively. Defensively, keeping the QB in the pocket will be key in containing the big play or big conversions. They have to make Montclair one-dimensional and pass from within the pocket.

[RowanPhan]

Rowan bye week

I'm going to watch a bit of the Kean @ CNU game. Broadcast looks good. [Edit: I love that CNU has instant replay!]

Kean is about to kickoff...

[MRMIKESMITH]

Good win today for Salisbury against a good Montclair State team. So here is by Good, Bad, and Ugly.

Good: Salisbury came out the gates and dominated on both sides of the ball, controlling the game on all facets. Offense looked like a well oiled machine. Defense got timely turnovers and dominated the Montclair Offense and capitalized by getting multiple interceptions. Special teams created opportunities to score early and often and to keep field position in Salisbury favor. Kickoff team was phenomenal. Salisbury WR made some great catches on multiple 1 on 1 situations, high pointing the ball on jump balls. If Salisbury can find ways to get that young man the ball downfield, it can definitely open the offense up tremendously. It was also good to see some improvement from the CB that struggled that past two weeks getting beat inside. This week, he played very well and was discipline on Montclairs pass attempts his way, kudos to him on improving.  Players played very confident and wanted to win this game and knew it was important.

Bad: Again, with the win, this is nitpicking for the most part. Nevertheless, the bad is most of that "Good" aforementioned, came all in the 1st half as Salisbury instead of going into neutral or overdrive to demoralize Montclair, they went into "Park". They really didn't accomplish much offensively in the 2nd half and actually lost the 2nd half. Kudos to Montclair defense for making the necessary adjustments and just being in the right spot to limit Salisbury from breaking the big runs that happened during 1st half. Montclair Defense really beat up Salisbury 2nd half. Salisbury didn't really make that adjustment that it made against WNE, I think had they done that, it would have thrown Montclair off after they made their adjustment. Too many offensive holding penalties ruined 2nd half drives and created long yard to gain.

Ugly: For the second game in a row, penalties, penalties and penalties keep this team from getting touchdowns or getting the defense off the field and creating momentum for the opposing team. Although Montclair State didn't help themselves out with their share of penalties. The late hits, multiple unsportsmanlike penalties are so unnecessary are going to cost them and could have had Montclair not had their share of mistakes. As I watch the game, it appears the same players are the same culprits. I know those individuals are star players, but it has to stop, you can't hurt your team. Another thing that irks my nerve is the chatter by one of the CB, I don't mind you being confident, but don't be engaging with the opposing team sideline and then get beat for a 50 yard pass. You are too talented to do any "trash" talking, let your actions speak, point to the scoreboard and walk back to your sideline or get ready for the next play.

Overall, I'll take the win against a good program like Montclair State. Montclair State never gave up, but Salisbury didn't allow the game to really get too close after going up 27-0 at half. I would like for the team to finish better against quality opponents like Montclair. I just didn't see that today. I still don't think Salisbury has played a complete game this year. However, the 1st half look as good as you was going to get, but they have to be able to make adjustments to other teams adjustments and then the players have to execute that. I still will like for the team to "Run" out of the pass formations. They are still 100% pass in those formations, granted, they have all been in 3rd and very long situations.  I would like for the stupid penalties to end, that is a total lack of discipline. However, I was impressed with the 1st half performance. I loved that the defense finally got some big time interceptions. I loved the contested catching of the one WR.

[MRMIKESMITH]

Looks like around the rest of the NJAC, we had some good tough games. Kean defeated CNU in OT down in Newport News. That was a somewhat surprising results. CNU had more yards overall in the game, but it look like turnovers and some big long drives by Kean was able to get the game into OT with a timely pass on the first play and then a jump ball to Kean's big receiver. Then a bad throw on the 1st play of OT that was intercepted and that was game. What was shocking is that Kean did not throw one pass in 4th quarter, but came out passing in OT. TCNJ got a good win over Willie P, it appeared to be a defensive struggle, I believe Willie P had the most yards, just couldn't get into the endzone. TCNJ was able to establish the run, but got 3 fgs mostly off of Willie P's turnovers. Willie P had one drive that ended on downs and I think that hurt.

Up this week, we have Rowan at Kean, CNU at Willie P, and Montclair at TCNJ. Salisbury is on their 2nd bye in 3 weeks.

[RowanPhan]

Looks like around the rest of the NJAC, we had some good tough games. Kean defeated CNU in OT down in Newport News. That was a somewhat surprising results. CNU had more yards overall in the game, but it look like turnovers and some big long drives by Kean was able to get the game into OT with a timely pass on the first play and then a jump ball to Kean's big receiver. Then a bad throw on the 1st play of OT that was intercepted and that was game. What was shocking is that Kean did not throw one pass in 4th quarter, but came out passing in OT. TCNJ got a good win over Willie P, it appeared to be a defensive struggle, I believe Willie P had the most yards, just couldn't get into the endzone. TCNJ was able to establish the run, but got 3 fgs mostly off of Willie P's turnovers. Willie P had one drive that ended on downs and I think that hurt.

Up this week, we have Rowan at Kean, CNU at Willie P, and Montclair at TCNJ. Salisbury is on their 2nd bye in 3 weeks.

On the personal front, we're expecting our baby boy within the next week. Maybe I'll catch Rowan vs Kean from the hospital

[Ice Bear]

Looks like around the rest of the NJAC, we had some good tough games. Kean defeated CNU in OT down in Newport News. That was a somewhat surprising results. CNU had more yards overall in the game, but it look like turnovers and some big long drives by Kean was able to get the game into OT with a timely pass on the first play and then a jump ball to Kean's big receiver. Then a bad throw on the 1st play of OT that was intercepted and that was game. What was shocking is that Kean did not throw one pass in 4th quarter, but came out passing in OT. TCNJ got a good win over Willie P, it appeared to be a defensive struggle, I believe Willie P had the most yards, just couldn't get into the endzone. TCNJ was able to establish the run, but got 3 fgs mostly off of Willie P's turnovers. Willie P had one drive that ended on downs and I think that hurt.

Up this week, we have Rowan at Kean, CNU at Willie P, and Montclair at TCNJ. Salisbury is on their 2nd bye in 3 weeks.

On the personal front, we're expecting our baby boy within the next week. Maybe I'll catch Rowan vs Kean from the hospital

Ice Bear says congratulations! +k

[CNU85]

ugh. another OT loss

Congrats RowanPhan on the new addition. Treasure every moment!

[MRMIKESMITH]

Looks like around the rest of the NJAC, we had some good tough games. Kean defeated CNU in OT down in Newport News. That was a somewhat surprising results. CNU had more yards overall in the game, but it look like turnovers and some big long drives by Kean was able to get the game into OT with a timely pass on the first play and then a jump ball to Kean's big receiver. Then a bad throw on the 1st play of OT that was intercepted and that was game. What was shocking is that Kean did not throw one pass in 4th quarter, but came out passing in OT. TCNJ got a good win over Willie P, it appeared to be a defensive struggle, I believe Willie P had the most yards, just couldn't get into the endzone. TCNJ was able to establish the run, but got 3 fgs mostly off of Willie P's turnovers. Willie P had one drive that ended on downs and I think that hurt.

Up this week, we have Rowan at Kean, CNU at Willie P, and Montclair at TCNJ. Salisbury is on their 2nd bye in 3 weeks.

On the personal front, we're expecting our baby boy within the next week. Maybe I'll catch Rowan vs Kean from the hospital

Congrats!!!!